CVE-2004-0361 in Safari
Summary
by MITRE
The Javascript engine in Safari 1.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (segmentation fault) by creating a new Array object with a large size value, then writing into that array.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-0361 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the javascript engine of apple safari version 1.2 and earlier. this flaw exists in the handling of array object creation and memory allocation processes within the browser's javascript interpreter. when an attacker constructs a new array object with an excessively large size parameter and subsequently attempts to write data into that array, the javascript engine fails to properly validate the array dimensions against available memory resources, leading to a segmentation fault that crashes the browser process.
the technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within safari's javascript engine. when a javascript array is instantiated with an oversized size parameter, the engine allocates memory based on the specified dimension without proper bounds checking. this memory allocation pattern creates a scenario where the system attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, resulting in a segmentation fault that terminates the browser application. the vulnerability specifically targets the javascript array object constructor and its associated memory management routines, making it particularly dangerous in web environments where javascript execution is common.
from an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant denial of service threat to users of affected safari versions. remote attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious javascript code that creates massive arrays and attempts to populate them, effectively crashing the victim's browser session. the impact extends beyond simple inconvenience as this vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks against specific users or organizations, particularly in environments where safari is the primary browser. the exploit requires no special privileges or authentication, making it easily accessible to any remote attacker who can deliver malicious javascript content to a victim's browser. this characteristic aligns with attack patterns classified under the attack technique of web-based attacks in the mitre att&ck framework, specifically within the execution phase where malicious code is delivered and executed in the target environment.
the vulnerability manifests as a direct consequence of insufficient bounds checking in memory allocation routines, which can be categorized as a cwe-129 weakness in input validation. this weakness allows for improper handling of array size parameters and subsequent memory operations, creating a path for segmentation faults to occur during normal javascript execution. the flaw represents a classic case of buffer overflow vulnerability that was prevalent in early browser implementations where comprehensive memory safety checks were not fully implemented. organizations using affected safari versions face potential business disruption as users experience unexpected browser crashes, and the vulnerability could be exploited as part of larger attack campaigns targeting specific user bases.
effective mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to safari versions that contain the patched javascript engine, which addresses the improper array size handling and memory allocation issues. users should also implement browser security best practices such as disabling javascript in untrusted environments when possible, though this approach may limit web functionality. security administrators should monitor for exploitation attempts and consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to identify potential attacks targeting this specific vulnerability. the patch for this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management and bounds checking in browser javascript engines, aligning with security standards that emphasize secure coding practices for memory-intensive operations. organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious javascript patterns that attempt to exploit such buffer overflow conditions in browser environments.